Students and staff at the URC’s Scottish College marked the start of a new academic year by travelling to the Alpine Valleys of north of Italy, the heart of the Waldensian story.
The Waldensians, who celebrated their 850th anniversary in 2024, exist as part of the Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches, a worldwide denomination known for its support of social action projects, including the refugee relief charity Mediterranean Hope.
Torre Pellice, close to Turin, is the centre of the Waldensian Church. Students and staff explored its origins, its persecution, its resilience and the faith of what is now a worldwide Church.
Linda Harrison, the College Manager, said: “We experienced first-hand the steepness of the valleys they lived in and came to understand what they were willing to give up for their faith: politics, religion, and education – a recurring theme many can understand today.”
Linda added that the trip was a great opportunity to get to know each other in a beautiful area with an amazing history. Ministerial student Ann Sinclair agreed. She said: “This trip was far more than I had thought possible and in so many ways, something I can dip into in my thoughts and bring memories back. It was absolutely wonderful.”
The Waldensians take as their motto the Latin words “Lux lucet in tenebris” – “the light shines in the darkness”. They are long-standing friends of the URC and Dr Francesca Nuzzolese, Professor of Pastoral Care at the Waldensian Theological School in Rome, led the Bible Studies at the 2025 URC General Assembly.